Sternal Shield Research Articles

A checklist and a key to Typhlodromus Scheuten of Syria (Acari: Phytoseiidae), with a new species record

This study presents a checklist and a key encompassing 11 species of Typhlodromus Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Syria, derived from materials collected in this study as well as previous reports. A brief redescription, including setal measurements and some other important characters used to discriminate phytoseiid species, is provided for each species examined. Notably, the species Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) intercalaris Livshitz & Kuznetsov is reported for the first time in Syria, and redescribed based on adult specimens collected from Quercus cerris L. and Quercus infectoria G. Olivier (Fagaceae) trees in Latakia governorate. The examined specimens of this species demonstrated variation in the presence or absence of preanal pores: (1) absent on both sides; (2) present on both sides; (3) present on the left side; and (4) present on the right side. This species was considered a junior synonym of T. (A.) invectus Chant in an earlier study without examination of their type materials. We tried to find the holotype T. (A.) invectus without success. However, according to their original description, T. (A.) intercalaris is distinguishable from T. (A.) invectus by having two pairs of setae on the sternal shield, as opposed to three pairs in the latter species. Therefore, the reason for the redescription provided here is to improve diagnosis and minimize any confusion regarding the species status of the Syrian specimens. This discovery holds significant implications for understanding the biodiversity of phytoseiids in the country.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Gamasida: Dermanyssidae) isolates of Al- Baha province.

An ectoparasite known as Dermanyssus gallinae feeds on infected blood with a high frequency in European chicken farms resulting in significant economic losses. The objective of the current work was to characterize D. gallinae, which infests laying hens on farms in Southern Al-Baha morphologically, and molecularly, and to determine the evolutionary relationship between the species. All mites that were morphologically recognized as D. gallinae were submitted to molecular analysis by PCR, which focused on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of ribosomal DNA. Morphological identification of the parasites uncovered three distinct features: a triangular anal shield, a broader than longer sternal shield, and a rounded posterior genitoventral shield. Each D. gallinae sample was amplified using a single band, measuring 550 bp for the cox1-targeting PCR, and 530 bp for the ITS-targeting PCR. The sequences of D. gallinae were added to the GenBank. At the molecular identification level, this research identifies D. gallinae in Al-Baha for the first time. The results collectively provide a foundation for further research to understand the epidemiology and the part of this superfamily in the epidemiology of certain zoonosis.

Remarks on the genus Phymatodiscus Berlese, 1917, with the description of Phymatodiscidae fam. nov. and Bardizoneotvosi gen. nov., sp. nov. from Indonesia (Acari, Mesostigmata).

Phymatodiscidaefam. nov. is diagnosed, with Phymatodiscus as the type genus. A new genus, Bardizongen. nov., with Bardizoneotvosisp. nov. (from Indonesia) as the type species, is erected to accommodate the Phymatodiscus species with an eye-like dorsal depression. Six Phymatodiscus species are reclassified as Bardizon: B.aokii (Hiramatsu, 1985), comb. nov., B.haradai (Hiramatsu, 1985), comb. nov., B.oculatus (Hirschmann, 1977), comb. nov., B.kuni (Kontschán & Starý, 2011), comb. nov., B.insolitus (Kontschán & Ripka, 2016), comb. nov., and B.malayicus (Kontschán & Starý, 2012), comb. nov. The new species differs from the previously described congeners in the sculptural pattern, the shapes of the dorsal and ventral setae, and the sculptural pattern of the sternal shield of the male and the genital shield of the female. A list of all known phymatodiscid species is presented. Phymatodiscustitanicus (Berlese, 1905) is moved to the genus Bostocktrachys: B.titanicus (Berlese, 1905), comb. nov. (family Trachyuropodidae).

Rhinonyssus nenecoi sp. nov. (Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae); a new nasal mite from Daption capense (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae).

Parasitic nasal mites have been surveyed in a range of vertebrate hosts, but only two species of Rhinonyssidae have been described from procellariiform seabirds. We here describe Rhinonyssus nenecoi sp. nov., from Cape petrels, Daption capense (Procellariidae), collected in Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil. The new species is morphologically most similar to R. procellaricus and R. pluvialis differing mainly by a strongly sclerotised podosomal shield with four pairs of setae, covering more than half of the idiosoma; a podosomal shield with a V-shaped posteromedial projection; an irregularly-shaped sternal shield; and a ventral opisthosoma with 3-4 pairs of setae.

New Angulobaloghia species and records (Acari: Mesostigmata: Rotundabaloghiidae) from the Oriental region

Two new Angulobaloghia species are described from Southeast Asia: A. nabau sp. nov. from Malaysia and A. badangi sp. nov. from Singapore. Angulobaloghia nabau sp. nov. has a three-peaked female genital shield, which is unique within the genus Angulobaloghia. Angulobaloghia badangi sp. nov. is distinctive by having the female genital shield between the central area of coxae II, its rectangular apical margin, and the sternal shield with oval pits. New localities for two known Angulobaloghia species, A. scrobia Kontschán and Stary, 2011 and A. vietnamensis (Kontschán, 2008), are presented from Vietnam.

A new species of Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Turkey, with a key to the Turkish species of the subgenus

Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) tulinae sp. nov. Döker is described based on specimens collected from Carpinus betulus L. (Betulaceae) in Ordu Province on the Black Sea coast, Turkey. The new species can be easily distinguished from all known species of the subgenus by the combination of the following morphological characters: dorsal shield with three pairs of solenostomes (gland pores), peritreme extending to region between j3 and z2, sternal shield with two pairs of setae, ventrianal shield with four pairs of preanal setae and no preanal solenostomes, movable digit of chelicera with two teeth, genu II with eight setae, and spermatheca with large bulbous atrium and saccular calyx. A key to separate the Turkish species of the subgenus is also provided.

Two new species of Lasioseius (Acari: Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae) with reduced sclerotization of the sternal shield

ABSTRACT Two new species of Blattisociidae mites, Lasioseius triplax sp. nov. and Lasioseius verruciger sp. nov., are described from females found in phoretic association with the mycophagous erotylid beetle Triplax russica (Linnaeus) and under the bark of dying conifers, respectively, both from southwestern Slovakia. The new species are unusual in having reduced sclerotization of the posterior part of the sternal shield. Only a few species of Lasioseius Berlese have this character state, the purpose and possible function of which are unknown. An identification key for species with reduced sclerotization of the sternal shield is presented. Lasioseius allii Chant is firstly reported from Slovakia, and some notes on the morphology of this and related species are given. for publication: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:61410D92-6C52-47AD-B395-8F14D88EAA52 for Lasioseius triplax: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:91EB66A2-DF6F-4134-8489-F7AAE4019FC1 for Lasioseius verruciger: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:758ECDE2-C0B7-481C-8A40-427149722455

Two new species of nasal mites of the genus Rhinonyssus (Acari, Mesostigmata, Rhinonyssidae) from shearwaters

Nasal mites of the family Rhinonyssidae are parasites living in the respiratory system of birds. To date there were no record of these mites from representatives of the order Procellariiformes, a numerous grouping of exclusively marine birds that includes albatrosses, petrels, storm-petrels and shearwaters. The paper describes two new species of the genus Rhinonyssus from shearwaters (Procellariidae) found on various shores of Brazil: Rhinonyssus borealis sp. nov. from Calonectris borealis (Cory’s shearwater) and R. procellaricus sp. nov. from Puffinus puffinus (Manx shearwater) and Ardenna gravis (Great shearwater). Both described mites are characterized by a large elliptical body and a relatively large and strongly sclerotized with the well-developed caudal extension. Rhinonyssus borealis sp. nov. and R. procellaricus sp. nov. are similar in their general appearance to each other but differ in the size of idiosoma, shape of podosomal and sternal shields and leg chaetotaxy.

A new genus and species of Laelapidae Canestrini from Sri Lanka (Acari: Mesostigmata).

We describe a new monotypic genus in the mite family Laelapidae, Hyposternus gen. nov., to accommodate a new species, H. ceylonicus sp. nov., on the basis of female, male and protonymph specimens collected from soil-litter in Sri Lanka. The female of the new genus differs from other genera of Laelapidae by having a strongly desclerotised sternal shield, essentially represented by a narrow anterior and lateral sclerotised ridges. Other distinctive features of the new species include the absence of dorsal shield seta z3, an epistome projecting anteriorly, movable digit of the chelicera tapered apically, an elongate anal shield, thorn-like opisthogastric setae, an anteriorly widened hypostomal groove, and long dorsal macrosetae ad1 on femora IIIV.

Pseudoscirus gen. nov. of Coleoscirinae (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from the Amazon rainforest, Brazil, with a key to the genera of adult female Coleoscirinae

ABSTRACT The genus Coleoscirus Berlese, 1916, is revised and divided into two genera. Coleoscirus intermedius Corpuz-Raros, 1996 is designated the type species for Pseudoscirus Wurlitzer and Rocha gen. nov. This new genus is peculiar in having characteristics of both Coleoscirus Berlese, 1916 and Pseudobonzia Smiley, 1975. The general characters of Pseudoscirus Wurlitzer and Rocha gen. nov. within the subfamily Coleoscirinae Den Heyer, 1978 include the presence of a small dorsal shield that covers only the propodosoma, and having swollen apices of solenidia on tarsus I. The new genus resembles Coleoscirus species due to coxal plates I and II fused medially, forming the sternal shield, and idiosomal plates poorly developed. A new species from the Amazonic biome in Brazil, Pseudoscirus amazonae Wurlitzer and Rocha sp. nov., is also described and illustrated. The new species differs from the known species Pseudoscirus intermedius Corpuz-Raros, 1996 by basifemora II with 6 sts; propodosomal shield with a notch, and simple tactile setae c1, c2, d1, e1, f1, f2, h1 and h2 on minute sclerotised plates. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C45C0CF6-CEAB-4AF1-995F-FDCDB2062C3F

Metagynella pangooli sp. nov. from decaying baobab tree from Senegal with the notes on genus Metagynella Berlese, 1919 (Acari: Mesostigmata: Metagynuridae)

A new species of Metagynella, M. pangooli sp. nov. is described based on female and male specimens collected from decaying baobab trees (Adansonia digitata) in Senegal. The new species differs from congeners by the sculptural pattern of the dorsal shield and the shape of the sternal shield. A list and a new key to the known Metagynella species are also presented.

A new genus and new species of macronyssid mite (Mesostigmata: Gamasina: Macronyssidae) from Brazilian caves including molecular data and key for genera occurring in Brazil

A new genus and a new species of macronyssid mites is described based on material collected from caves in Minas Gerais state, Southeastern Brazil, and additional occurrences from caves in Rio de Janeiro (Southeast) and Pará (Eastern Amazon region). The new genus may be distinguished from other Macronyssidae genera by the combination of sternal shield with a distinct X-shaped area; sternal shield bearing three pairs of setae and two pairs of pores; sternal gland absent; anterior spur on coxa II lacking; adults with dorsal shield entire and j and J series complete; adults and protonymphs with setae J5 minute; males with strong-pores on dorsal shield and peritrema short extending from posterior margin of coxae II to the anterior margin of coxae IV. A key for genera occurring in Brazil is provided, as well sequences from the mitochondrial large subunit of ribosome (16S).

A new species of emTyphlodromus/em (Anthoseius) De Leon and redescription of emT. (A.)/em emmontanus/em Chant amp; Yoshida-Shaul from Russia.

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) tetraporus sp. nov., collected on grasses in Crimea, is proposed as a new species for science. The new species can be separated from all known species of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) by the combination of following characters; peritreme extending almost to level of setae j1, four pairs of solenostomes on dorsal shield, two pairs of setae on sternal shield, a sclerotised v-shaped plate posterior to sternal shield, four pairs of pre-anal setae, a pair of small rounded pre-anal solenostomes, differentiated and larger atrium of spermatheca and eight setae on genu II. In addition, T. (A.) montanus Chant Yoshida-Shaul (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a species only known based on its original description from Canada is reported for the first time in Russia. The new record is redescribed and illustrated based on female specimens collected from Prunus padus L. (Rosaceae) where it was associated with eriophyid mites in Pereval Seminskiy, Altai Republic. This species may be an important predator as a potential biological control agent of eriophyid mites.

First record of the genus Reductholaspis Emberson (Acari: Macrochelidae) from the Oriental Region with description of a new species from southwestern China

ABSTRACT Reductholaspis Emberson is rediagnosed with the description of a new species, Reductholaspis longicorniculus sp. nov. Shen & Yi from southwestern China. This is the first report of the genus Reductholaspis from the Oriental Region and the first described male for the genus. Reductholaspis longicorniculus sp. nov. is distinguished from R. analis Hyatt & Emberson by the dorsal shield with 28 pairs of setae, posterior margin of the sternal shield with deep hollows lateral to iv2, latigynal sclerites well developed, metasternal plates ovate, all setae on coxae I–IV pilose, tarsus I with proximal pilose setae, and three pairs of lightly sclerotized platelets between the epigynal shield and anal shield. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F167F384-BE71-4CE8-8643-F5F64CF5D7CF http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:DFA70B5A-9170-4210-A409-1DF3A980FE5B

<p><strong>Resurrection of the genus <em>Formosaurella</em> Hirschmann (Uropodina: Discourellidae) with descriptions of a new species and a new subgenus</strong></p>

The genus Formosaurella Hirschmann, 1979 is resurrected with a new diagnosis and notes to the known two species. A new species of Formosaurella, F. tertia sp. nov., is discovered and described from Peru. The new species differs from the previously described ones in the shape of dorsal and ventral setae and the sculptural pattern of the sternal shield of the male and genital shield of the female. A new subgenus (Falcatana subgen. nov.) is erected to accommodate Formosaurella (Falcatana) falcata Hirschmann, 1972 comb. nov. The new subgenus differs from the nominate subgenus in the shape of marginal setae, the shape of setae on posterior part of dorsal idiosoma, and the absence of a pygidial shield.

Morphological variation of Varroa destructor (Parasitiformes, Varroidae) in different seasons

Varroosis is one of the most dangerous and common diseases of honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758) worldwide, caused by gamasid mites of the species Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman, 2000. This external parasite is widespread and adapted to the climate conditions of most countries of the world, and it can infect bees at any life stage. It parasites on worker bees, male and queen bees, larvae and pupae, feeding on their hemolymph and fat bodies, causing lower survival rates and lower density of bee colonies, decreasing the bees’ life span. Here, we studied the specifics of the seasonal variation of female V. destructor mites, obtained from honey bees, by the morphological characters of mites belonging to the summer and winter generations, and their differences were established. Using the methods of multivariate statistics, we found significant differences between the summer (June–July) and winter (October–November) morphotypes of V. destructor mites. There are differences between the seasonal samples by 12 morphological characters of the parasite, namely the width of dorsal shield, width of dorsoventral shield, number of pores on sternal shield, length of tarsus and macrochaeta IV, and distances between setae of gnathosoma. Processing the seasonal samples of mites with discriminant analysis resulted in differences by 11 morphological characters including the length of dorsal shield, number of lancet setae, length and width of genitoventral shield, width of anal shield, number of setae and pores on sternal shield and distance between setae of gnathosoma. In general, the summer females are smaller and elongated compared to winter females, with larger genitoventral shield and shorter legs. The mites of summer and winter generations are adapted to different seasons: the summer mites to the reproductive period, the winter generation to overwintering on bees. The ratio of morphotypes in female V. destructor mites is observed to change during the year, from 20.2% winter morphotype in summer generation to 20.7% summer morphotype in winter mites. Studying the influence of acaricides on the distinguished morphotypes is a promising approach to improve pest control measures against varroosis of honey bees.

REDESCRIPTION OF GAEOLAELAPS DEBILIS (MA) (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA: LAELAPIDAE), WITH A KEY TO WORLD SPECIES OF GAEOLAELAPS WITH SETAE ST1 OFF STERNAL SHIELD

Ma (1996) described Gaeolaelaps debilis as a new species from China, being just one female collected from the nest of Daurian ground squirrel, Spermophilus dauricus Brandt (Rodentia: Sciuridae), in the Jilin Province. Then he presented a supplementary description of this species, based on female and deutonymph specimens collected from soil in same province from China (Ma 2004); but they both lack some of the most important details concerning leg chaetotaxy and do not provide enough information for accurate and consistent species identification. In this paper, we redescribe the adult female of G. debilis (Ma, 1996) based on the newly collected specimens from new localities in China, Iran and the Russian Far East. Our work includes the first description of the male of this species. Moreover, a key to the species of Gaeolaelaps with setae st1 off sternal shield is presented.

REDESCRIPTION OF HYPOASPISELLA PINI (HIRSCHMANN, BERNHARD, GREIM AND GÖTZ) COMB. N. (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA: LAELAPIDAE) WITH A KEY TO WORLD SPECIES OF HYPOASPISELLA WITH SETAE ST1 OFF STERNAL SHIELD

Hypoaspisella pini comb. n. is redescribed based on adult females collected from a rotten stump of Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) in Western Siberia (Russia) and from the galleries of Ips acuminatus (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Turkey. Hypoaspisella pini fits well with the current concept of the genus Hypoaspisella Bernhard. The chelicerae of this species are similar to those of free-living forms, which suggests it may be a predator of small invertebrates, inhabiting bark beetle galleries and decomposing organic matter. Moreover, we provide a world key to the species of Hypoaspisella with setae st1 off sternal shield.

New data on the genus Uroseius Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Trachytidae) with a redescription of U. sorrentinus (Lombardini, 1952).

Uroseius sorrentinus is redescribed based on nymphal instars and adults of both sexes from a cave in Southern Spain. New observations of the ontogeny of setae, glands and lyrifissures on the idiosoma and legs are provided, allowing for the clarification and expansion of the diagnostic characters of the genus UroseiusThe female of this species is distinguished from other Uroseius species by its: rounded idiosoma, with prominent anteriorly knobbed vertex; medial dorsal shield with approximately 26 pairs of short, brush-like setae; pigmented soft cuticle at posterior margin of dorsal shield with one pair of long setae; genital shield with spine-like anterior process with anterior half covered by soft sternal cuticle; and 15-20 pairs of feathered ventral setae of heterogeneous length. Males are distinguished by their: femora, genu and tibia with seta av modified as spurs; and tarsus II with two enlarged, spine-like setae. Deutonymphs are distinguished by their: dorsal shield not covering vertical and dorsolateral regions; presternal transverse sclerite present; sternal shield entire; sternal region with three pairs of conspicuous gland openings; and ventrianal shield with 8-10 pairs of setae. A key to the species of deutonymphs of Uroseius is given..

A new species of Reticulolaelaps Costa (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from the Iberian Peninsula, with a key to world species

A new species, Reticulolaelaps caditanus n. sp., is described based on adult females found in an oothecal cell of Mantis religiosa. The species has several morphological characteristics, including the presence of presternal shields, endopodal III-IV widely connected with sternal shield, 50 pairs of dorsal setae and at least 11 setae x, curly and barbed, and thin and smooth ventral setae including six pairs of setae on the genitoventral shield. A revised diagnosis of the genus with the addition of new characters and a key to the world species of the genus are provided.